Guava Cheese Pastries

My favorite Cuban bakery and my favorite Taiwanese bakery both have Guava Cheese Pastries. They are delicious, and similar enough that it got me thinking I could probably make them at home using my guava jam and the amazing ricotta from my cheese hookup. Guava Cheese Pastries are typically made with cream cheese, but I’ve…

3.14 Pi(e) Day VI

This is actually my 7th annual Pie Day, but last year we did it as a Cookbook Club event. Can you believe it!? Seven times I’ve gotten to stuff myself to the gills with pie… and hopefully many more to come. Savory Pies Nick made a Tomato Cheese Pie. Does that sound familiar? Well that’s…

Warm Cabbage Salad

We tried a new restaurant for my birthday, and the best thing we had was a Warm Cabbage Salad which consisted of a roasted napa cabbage steak topped with green goddess dressing, parmesan, and crispy anchovies. I have been thinking about that salad ever since, so finally decided to try re-creating it at home. My…

Cauliflower Ragu

Cookbook Club – Six Seasons Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables was our cookbook for February. It progresses from spring to early summer to midsummer to late summer to autumn to winter, but since almost all of us were drawn to summer recipes rather than winter ones, we probably should have waited to use…

Bruschetta

I love bruschetta, but can’t bring myself to order it in a restaurant because it is so easy and inexpensive to make at home. The first time I made this bruschetta for my boyfriend he said, “This is the best bruschetta I’ve eaten in my life… and I’ve eaten a lot of bruschetta!”. Guessipe Toss…

Jalapeno Cilantro Yogurt Dip

I needed to throw together a quick appetizer for a party, so I rummaged through the fridge and found Asiago cheese, yogurt, cilantro, and a jalapeno that I needed to use up. Looked like the makings of a pretty good vegetable dip. Brought it to the party and it was a hit… both as a…

Ravioli in Pumpkin Cream Sauce

I had some more of the incredible ricotta from my cheese guy, plus a pumpkin that I had pureed after it had served its purpose as a holiday decoration. So I decided to make ravioli with a pumpkin cream sauce. The meal came out so good that my boyfriend said it was like eating in…

Aji Verde

No Peruvian meal is complete without Aji Verde (Peruvian green sauce), so of course I had to make some for my Peruvian dinner party. It’s a refreshing sauce that is automatically delivered to your table at most Peruvian restaurants, and I like to put it on basically everything I order. Which is why I love…

Huancaina Sauce

Another one of my Peruvian favorites is Huancaina Sauce. I learned how to make this from a friend who is actually Chilean, but it tastes just like the Huancaina at my favorite Peruvian restaurant, so I’m going with it. It’s typically served with potatoes, but as you know by now potatoes aren’t my thing. Also…

Meatball Cheese Crisps

My cheese guy came through again, this time with a giant bag of shredded mozzarella. I also have an excessive supply of frozen meatballs at the moment, because for some reason my boyfriend keeps buying them every time he goes to the store. I decided to try making an appetizer of meatballs on mozzarella cheese…

Caramelized Zucchini and Onion Pasta

It’s summer squash season, and the abundance of zucchini everywhere got me thinking that it might be good caramelized along with onions. The combo of caramelized zucchini and onion came out even better than I expected, making a buttery sweet pasta sauce that I’ll definitely be making again. Guessipe 6 TBSP butter 1 onion, thinly…

Fried Heirloom Tomato Salad

More fun with heirloom tomatoes! Hearty enough to fry into a tasty topper for a bed of arugula. Drizzled with a creamy balsamic dressing, this made for a salad so good that my boyfriend (who’s preference is pretty much an all-carb diet) chose it over gnocchi. Guessipe 1/4 cup parmesan 1/8 cup cornmeal 1/8 cup…